People of colour/minorities cannot be racist?

[sundayrose10]

Do you agree with this statement? I was on a different forum where they discussed black people cannot be racist. Many said blacks/minorities could NOT be racist but there were an equal number also arguing that it was impossible. The reason they gave for the impossibility was that whites have the political and economic power to supress minorities.

Do you agree with that statement or disagree?

I know some people have a problem with the term 'people of colour' but I use it to include anyone who is not white. If it is relevant, I am black myself.

[LuckyWeKeptTheCot]

There is a lot of tension between Caribbean and African people in East London. I was chatting to an African cab driver and he said basically 'They hate us because we sold them into slavery and we hate them because they're all descending from criminals'. So that's a nice fair summing up.

[kingbeat23]

rac·ism (rszm)
n.

1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
   

2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
racist adj. & n.

there, a dictionary reference on the term "racist". Anyone can be racist. Minorities can be racist.

To say otherwise is just plain daft. So in essence YABU.

[Birdsgottafly]

You will find that any violence or murders are kept low key, though. So there must be government involvement in the silence of the media.

[oohlaalaa]

Well said kingbeat23.

[Rollmops]

What is the % of 'white' people on this li'lle planet of ours?
Now who's 'minority'
As for being racist, try Singapore - never seen such open and accepted tradition of racism in my life.
Anyone can be a racist, now't to do with ones colour.

[Straight2Extremes]

Anyone can be racist

BUT

For this country an ethnic minorities racism towards white people let's say does not have as large an effect as it would in reverse.

[nobetterthanthat]

On an individual level I have had the crap beaten out of me and needed hospital treatment in a racial attack by non white people. I don't think I was less affected by this than a non white person.

Not being able to marry the person you love because of race is not less devastating on an individual level if you are white compared with any other race.

But if I go for a job and I don't get it because I am white and there is a positive discrimination policy or general racism then I will just get another job. The same applies to things like renting a house. And I'm fairly sure if I was murdered in the street then I would be headline news, you only have to compare Jo Yates and Jia Ashton to see that. Both were attractive 20 something graduates on their way home from work, one was headline news for ages, one was barely mentioned.

If you are non white in Britain you are more likely to have an accumulation of things go against you, more racial attacks/abuse, more job rejections, more being treated like a bit of a nobody, more having to prove you aren't a stereotype, so the accumulation must make the general experience much worse generally across the whole population even if an individual white person suffers much more than an individual non white person. I find the idea that a white person cannot be the victim of racism laughable, at least I would if it wasn't so offensive.

[SoupDragon]

"For this country an ethnic minorities racism towards white people let's say does not have as large an effect as it would in reverse."

Tell that to the White person who is the victim.

[Goblinchild]

What an odd thing to ask.
I used to work in an area where the many of Pathans looked down on the Pakistani Urdu speakers, many of the Pakistanis despised the Bengalis whom they often called 'black beetles', many of the Bengalis mocked the West Indians who hated them right back and every now and then, sections of the various communities would get together and set fire to the Travellers camp. That's before you add white to the mixture.
The race riots were very...complicated.

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Spoc - no worries, hope you didn't think I was being facetious. You genuinely made me smile .

[forehead]

I agree with those who say ethnic minorities can be prejudiced, however they cannot be racist. My black neighbour,'s brother is married to a white woman this has upset my neighbours mother who has accused her son of 'diluting the race', she refuses to have anything to do with the girlfiend simply because she is white. Apparently she dislikes white people because they are 'dirty'. So racial prejudice does exist in the ethnic communities , however racism does not exist, because it must be backed up with power.

[theinet]

have always found it odd that racism against nigerians seems almost "acceptable", from other black people.

in south africa the various black tribal groupings have their own racism and would make comments against each other just as nasty as anything a crusty old colonel from tunbridge wells would come out with about other races here.

was speaking with an iranian muslim the other day who were making a huge song and dance about pakistanis wanting the UK to become a muslim state and saying all sorts of other derogatory stuff about pakistani culture.

racism can come from any creed or colour and be directed towards any other!

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Theinet - I once asked an African woman if she was Nigerian. She glared at me in horror. I felt sorry for her, the silly moo. I know lots and lots of wonderful Nigerians - they are astonishingly hard-working, creative, intelligent, dynamic people. Other Africans who stereotype them and believe the stereotype do so because of a lack of intellectual rigour. Bless.

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Btw I think this distinction made on this thread between racism and racial prejudice is fallacious. Racism is about hatred. When people talk about the power element, they are referring to discrimination.

[caramelwaffle]

Absolutely, Speedy ^

[GotArt]

I had a shocking incident on the tube once.

A man came on and sat down right beside me. After two stops, I had to get up and move because his cologne was extremely strong and in the heat, it was making me queasy.

I didn't make a fuss about getting up, just got up and stood by the doors. He was getting off the next stop but made a point to come up to me first to tell me 'I hate you more'. I said "What" not fully understanding why he would say such a thing; he was well dressed and groomed and well spoken. He repeated it. The train stop before the station so I took the opportunity to ask what he meant by it. "You moved because I am black," he said.

I was shocked. I told him, "I moved, and you being a man, I don't expect you to fully understand this, because I am 8 weeks pregnant and I find your cologne repugnant. If I stayed there was a good possibility I would have vomited on your Italian leather shoes". He apologized, the train pulled into the station and he got off.

He based my actions on the colour of my skin.

[HipHopOpotomus]

Anyone can be racist - and not all societies have a caucasion majority.

[FreudianSlipper]

no i do not believe they can be racist, prejudiced yes

someone who has been oppressed can they oppress their oppressors, not really but they can certainly hate them

white chiristian people have not suffered oppression (apart from small pockets of societies)

[BrawToken]

That statement is racist.

[FreudianSlipper]

what my statement? how is that racist

[BrawToken]

'people of colour'. What does that mean? It is a racist dscription. Black and minority ethnic people do not like being called coloured. According to much research. "It's wrong," says Toyin Agbetu of Ligali, an African-British human rights organisation. "Because it strips me of my identity and reduces me to the most superficial physical identifier, as opposed to my African ethnicity." And it is a term imposed by white people, so not chosen by those it refers to.

And it's racist to imply only white people are capable of racism. Anyone is capable of any type of discrimination.

[bluepaws]

Black and minority ethnic people do not like being called coloured.




have you asked each and every one of them?

i couldnt care less if i am called white, pink, blonde, fat, old whatever - people make judgements based on looks, thats life

anyway i dont subscribe to politically correct nonsense, if i wish to call someone coloured, i will do so. if i wish to call them black, i will

[BrawToken]

No, of course I haven't asked everyone, but there are plenty of research and studies which state this Why is it wrong to respect the wishes of people who wish to be referred to in a way which doesn't stigmatise them? The 'politically correct nonsense' is the reason our society (well some of it) has become more tolerant and equal.

[FreudianSlipper]

coloured what does that mean purple with yellow and green spots

its not about being politically correct i do not know any black person that likes been called coloured (and no i do not know every black person), its a dated term that my nan (in a whisper) would use

people from any background can by prejudice, but to be racist you need to hold the power (or be of the same akin) to oppress any other group of people based on their race, this has not happened to white christian people but that is not to say that anyone who is white and christian has not suffered from prejudice

[BrawToken]

I see this. And I know my response was simplistic - and was a response to the op, not your point, which wasn't racist FS.

I work in disability field and have seen many people being 'disablist' despite their disability. Which, I know is not the same as there are massive cultural differences to consider and consider it I will Off to work now, but will try and do some reading on this as it is interesting.